PROGRESSIVE
WATCHTOWER LIGHT ON “THIS GENERATION”
In
1968 the youngest of the 1914 generation were 15 years old.
"Jesus
was obviously speaking about those who were old enough to witness
with understanding what took place when the 'last days' began. ...
Even if we presume that youngsters 15 years of age would be
perceptive enough to realize the import of what happened in 1914, it
would still make the youngest of 'this generation' nearly 70 years
old today." (Awake! Oct 8, 1968 p13)
In
1978 the youngest of the 1914 generation were clearly not babies
"Thus,
when it comes to the application in our time, the "generation"
logically would not apply to babies born during World War I. It
applies to Christ's followers and others who were able to observe
that war and the other things that have occurred in fulfillment of
Jesus' composite "sign."" (Watchtower Oct 1, 1978 p31)
In
1980 the youngest of the 1914 generation were revised to 10
years olds.
"As
indicated by an article on page 56 of U.S. News & World Report of
January 14, 1980, "If you assume that 10 is the age at which an
event creates a lasting impression on a person's memory," then
there are today more than 13 million Americans who have a
"recollection of World War I."" (Watchtower Oct 15,
1980 p31)
In
1984 the
youngest of the 1914 generation were reduced to babies.
"If
Jesus used "generation" in that sense and we apply it to
1914, then the babies of that generation are now 70 years old or
older. And others alive in 1914 are in their 80's or 90's, a few even
having reached a hundred. There are still many millions of that
generation alive." (Watchtower May 15, 1984 p5)
In
1988
the youngest were babies that were born in 1914
"Likewise
today, most of the generation of 1914 has passed away. However, there
are still millions on earth who were born in that year or prior to
it." (Watchtower April 8, 1988 p14)
In
1995
age no longer was a factor in determining the 1914 generation
“Rather
than provide a rule for measuring time, the term “generation” as
used by Jesus refers principally to contemporary
people of a certain historical period, with their identifying
characteristics.”
– Watchtower
Nov 1, 1995,
p.20.
Finally
in 2010
the 1914 generation
overlaps.
How, then, are we to
understand Jesus’ words about “this generation”? He evidently
meant that the lives of the anointed who were on hand when the sign
began to become evident in 1914 would overlap with the lives of other
anointed ones who would see the start of the great tribulation.
That generation had a beginning, and it surely will have an end. The
fulfillment of the various features of the sign clearly indicate that
the tribulation must be near. By maintaining your sense of urgency
and keeping on the watch, you show that you are keeping up with
advancing light and following the leadings of holy spirit.—Mark
13:37. Watchtower 04/15, 2010 Article: Holy
Spirit’s Role in the Outworking of Jehovah’s Purpose
good description!